Intellectual Property...
An open letter to photographers and other creative professionals …
Photographers, and many other creative professionals, rely on the rights of intellectual property. This concept is at the core of our trade. Imagine the chaos in your business if anyone could reproduce your work and sell it as their own…it is almost inconceivable.
Unquestionably, respect for and protection of a photographer’s work is what makes our profession, our business possible. Surely, virtually every photographer on the planet would wholeheartedly agree with both the legal and ethical protection of their work.
Surprisingly, there is a disturbing trend that has become increasingly rampant in the photo industry...a business that is completely dependent on protecting intellectual property rights. The issue is the manufacture and sale of photographic products by companies that flagrantly ignore the rights of those who originated these products.
I’m guessing that the casual purchase of these knock-off products by photographers, who staunchly defend their rights to their photographs, is an unintentional and unfortunate irony that has likely escaped many photographic professionals.
That years… maybe even lifetimes… are invested in the development of a line of functional photographic accessories is easy to overlook, but in fact, there is little difference in the years…or even lifetimes it took to create extraordinary photographic images.
The next time you are reaching for that knock-off photo accessory, or adding it to your shopping cart, imagine someone else selling a copy of one of your prized images while ignoring the time, money and energy that you put into its creation. Imagine competing with someone who doesn't make photographs...just sells yours...as their own.
Copying original work is not only unethical and often illegal; supporting those who copy original work eliminates the desire and ability to create new and useful products for the future. It jeopardizes the very existence of those companies (and individuals) that will bring you tomorrow's innovations, while actually rewarding those who copy those who create, not to mention selling products that may LOOK similar, but are most often inferior in performance, quality and warranty. You may save a little money now, but we all lose in the long run.
Protect creativity and innovation … our most valuable assets.
Quest Couch
Professional Photographer and Inventor
Since 1972
An open letter to photographers and other creative professionals …
Photographers, and many other creative professionals, rely on the rights of intellectual property. This concept is at the core of our trade. Imagine the chaos in your business if anyone could reproduce your work and sell it as their own…it is almost inconceivable.
Unquestionably, respect for and protection of a photographer’s work is what makes our profession, our business possible. Surely, virtually every photographer on the planet would wholeheartedly agree with both the legal and ethical protection of their work.
Surprisingly, there is a disturbing trend that has become increasingly rampant in the photo industry...a business that is completely dependent on protecting intellectual property rights. The issue is the manufacture and sale of photographic products by companies that flagrantly ignore the rights of those who originated these products.
I’m guessing that the casual purchase of these knock-off products by photographers, who staunchly defend their rights to their photographs, is an unintentional and unfortunate irony that has likely escaped many photographic professionals.
That years… maybe even lifetimes… are invested in the development of a line of functional photographic accessories is easy to overlook, but in fact, there is little difference in the years…or even lifetimes it took to create extraordinary photographic images.
The next time you are reaching for that knock-off photo accessory, or adding it to your shopping cart, imagine someone else selling a copy of one of your prized images while ignoring the time, money and energy that you put into its creation. Imagine competing with someone who doesn't make photographs...just sells yours...as their own.
Copying original work is not only unethical and often illegal; supporting those who copy original work eliminates the desire and ability to create new and useful products for the future. It jeopardizes the very existence of those companies (and individuals) that will bring you tomorrow's innovations, while actually rewarding those who copy those who create, not to mention selling products that may LOOK similar, but are most often inferior in performance, quality and warranty. You may save a little money now, but we all lose in the long run.
Protect creativity and innovation … our most valuable assets.
Quest Couch
Professional Photographer and Inventor
Since 1972
